Dehydrator



Dec. 24, 1940. Q HENRY 2,225,990

DEHYDRATOR Filed Dec. 22, 1957 Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED- STATESPATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

An additional object is to provide a hehydrating device having anexpansible compartment in which a granular dehydrating agent subject toexpansion or contraction upon exposure to moisture containing gases ismaintained in proper' placement to insure adequate contact with thegases to be dehydrated.

` A further object is to provide a device of the type described in whichthe treating agent is contained in a readily replaceable cartridge.

A still further object is to provide a fluid treating device which isequipped with means for observing the condition of the fluid undergoingtreatment.

While the foregoing statements are indicative of the nature of theinvention, other objects and advantages will be evident to those skilledin the 80 art upon a full understanding of the improved fluid treatingdevice.

A preferred embodiment of each feature of the invention is presentedherein for the purpose of exemplification, but it will of course beapprecated that the invention is susceptible of incorporation in rotherstructurally modified forms coming equally within the scope of theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

4,0 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device l constructed inaccordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of a device similar to thatshown in Fig. 1 and having a sight glass attached thereto;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vmodified form of theimproved dehydrator in which an inner treating chamber is employed;

and

Fig. 4 is a. longitudinal sectional view showing the inner treatingchamber' of the device of Fig. 3.

In the embodiment of theinvention shown in Fig. l, the fluid-treatingchamber is comprised of a cylindrical casing I9 having a closed inlet lend II provided with an oriced inlet connection (Cl. 18S-47) I2. Theinlet connection has a cylindrical flange I3 extending through the endof the cylinder and inwardly thereof to form a connection with a fluiddistribution member I4. The distribution member consists of a metalliccylinder of sub- 5 stantially less diameter than the treating cham-- berand having perforations of smaller size than the particles of treatingagent which surround it. Closure I5 is provided in the unattached end ofthe distribition member. Any suitable method of 10 attaching thedistribution member to the flange I3 may be employed. For instance, theperforated distribution member may be soldered within flange I3, therebyforming a rigid support for the former. Inlet connection I2 likewise maybe 15 soldered or brazed to form a permanent connection with the closedend of the cylinder I0.

The opposite or outlet end of cylinder I0 is open and is provided withan annular flange I6, the latter having a relatively long inner leg I'l20 terminating adjacent the end of the cylinder to form a tongue orshoulder and an outer relatively short leg I8 which constitutes anabutment. Between the tongue and abutment portions the flange I6 isorificed to receive attaching bolts I9. 25

To the end of flange I6 and surrounding the open end of the cylinder isattached a removable casinghead 2D. Thiscasing head has an outer flange2I oriflced to receive bolts I9 and an inner cylindrical ange 22forminga channel 23 in 80 which isr carried a compressible gasket 24.The depth of channel 2,3 and the compressible depth of gasket 24 aregreater'than the distance beyr tween abutment I8 and flange 2I.. Tosecure the casing head to cylinder I0 the bolts IB are 85 tightened tocause the tongue or shoulder portions provided by leg I1 and the openend of the cylin-v der to enter channel 23 and bear againstconipressible gasket 24, the relation of the channel,

gasket, and abutment I8 being such that dis-.40

tortion of the parts by excessive tightening of the attaching bolts isprevented. That is, abutment I8 contacts flange 2| before the limit ofcompression Aof gasket 24 is reached. 'I'he construction for formingthis removable attachment of head 5 20 to casing I0 is described andclaimed in my copending application, Serial No. 181,170, filed December22, 1937, which application has since issued as Patent No. 2,183,614.

Casing head 20 is provided with an oriflced 50 outlet connection 29rigidly attached thereto as by screw threads, brazing or other means.

Against the interior of the outlet casing 20 is positioned a relativelycoarse screen 28 `and this screen has positioned over it a relativelyilne mesh 6l screen 21, the two screens acting to separate particles ofsolids from fluids leaving the apparatus. These separating screens aremaintained in position by an annular split ring 28 which seats againstthe interior surface of the cylindrical ilange 22.

The cylinder i0 is packed with granular particles of a treating materialas indicated at 29. These particles are packed' around thedistributingmember I4 and the material is maintained in position by a retaining pad30'. A relatively coarse and rigid screen 3l backs up the pad 30 andthese two retaining members are pressed against the body of treatingmaterial by a spring 32 which bears at one end against the base ofcylindrical flange 22 of the casing head and bears at its other endagainst screen 3l.

Where the apparatus is-employed as a dehydrator the particles oftreating material may be composed of a granular dehydrating agent 'suchas activated alumina. Other treating agents such as anhydrous calciumchloride, calcium' oxide, orthe like, may be employed. The treatingagent usually will be inert to the fiuids passing through thedehydrator, but a treating agent having chemical. activity with respectto constituents of the gas may be employed.

The activated alumina dehydrating agent tends to compact in time andupon this reduction in volume the retaining pad 30 is pressed inwardlyof the cylinder to maintain the dehydrating agent `in closely packedposition about the distributing member. That is, the spring 32 alwaysmaintains the granular treating agent in closely packed positionregardless of changes in volume. In some cases the treating agent may beemployed which will increase in volume upon use and the resiliency ofspring 32 will take car'e of this volume increase. The maintenance ofthe activated alumina in closely packed position about `the distributingmember insures that the fluid being treated will always have adequatecontact with the activated alumina for removal of moisture.

In Fig. 2 is shown a dehydrator of the type illustrated in Fig; 1 buthaving an outlet conduit 33 which is provided with an upwardly extendingsection 34 having mounted therein a sight glass 35 through which fluidspassing out of the dehydrator over a Weir-like obstruction in the bottomof the conduit 33 may be observed. The sight glass is maintained inposition by a hollow threaded sleeve 36 which is screwed into the`cylindrical section 34. A cover cap 31 is provided as a safety devicein case the sight glass should fail. It also serves as a protection forthe sight glass when the latter is not in use. The condition of therefrigerant passing through the system may be determined fromobservation through the sight port, gas bubbles appearing after passageof the refrigerant through the dehydrating agent indicating a shortageof refrigerant.

This sight glass structure is of course not limited in its use to adehydrator. It is equally applicable to strainers and other forms oftreating equipment. .i

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the closed endIl of the cylinder I0 is provided with an inlet opening 38 which has atapered exit section 39 extending into the interior of the cylinder. Thedehydrating agent is contained in a separate inner shell or container40. Container 40 has a closed end 4I. into which extends thedistributing member 42, the latter being of substantially the sameconstruction as the to the bottom section 4|.

distributing member I4 and extending slightly outwardly from-the end ofthe inner container as shown at 43. 'I'he distributing member 42 may bewelded into permanent position with respect The sides of the container4U are preferably though not necessarily imperforate.

The opposite end of the inner casing 4l is provided with a porous pad 44and a relatively rigid screen 45 which act as a retaining unit for theactivated alumina. within the casing. The screen 45 is retained withinthe casing by turning over the open end of the casing as shown at 46 toform an inwardly extending bead of less diameter than vthe outsidediameter of the screen.`

.Casing 40 fits somewhat closely within the interior of casing l0 andwhen the unit is assembled the nipple-like end 43 of the distributingmember is placed in snugly encompassing relation with respectzto thetapered end 39 of the inlet member. The interior or neck portion of thedistributing member is preferably tapered to provide a close fit withthe tapered'portion ofthe inlet member and the entire inner casing ispressed firmly against the tapered end 39 by means of a spring 4l whichbears at one end against the split ring 28 and at its other end againstthe screen retaining member 45. In this assembly the spring may have adual function. It may maintain the inner unit in firm engagement withthe inlet opening 38 to provide a fluid-tight fit therewith and it mayalso maintain the body 'of treating reagent in compacted position withinthe inner casing, even though the volume of the treating agent bereduced with use. As the volume of the treating agent diminishes thespring presses inwardly of the open end of thelinner casing, whereby toalways keep the filter pad pressed against the dehydrating agent.

As before stated, the treating agent4 which can be employed in theapparatus described may vary considerably. The more or less solubledehydrants such as calcium chloride and calcium oxide primarily areintended for temporary -use as quick-acting drying agents. The alkalinereaction of calcium oxide permits of its use widely as a neutralizingagent to remedy any unwanted acid condition which may exist in thesystem. Activated alumina is relatively. insoluble and chemically inertwhich makes desirable its use as a permanent or semi-permanentdehydrating agent. The cartridge type of construction shown in Figs. 3and 4 provides for ready refill of the treating agent by removal andreplacement of the cartridge. Dispersion tubes I4 and 42 minimize thepressure drop through the apparatus and widely distribute the fluidpassing through the treating material so as to insure eilicient contacttherewith. The inner container may be gasketed adjacent its open endwith respect to the outer container to insure concentric positioning ofthe casingsi'and additional fluid seals may be employed if desired toeliminate any possibility of leakage of fluid around the innercontainer. The inner container also may be positioned by providing arigid bearing surface over its open end for engagement with the spring41.

The structure described and illustrated herein for the purpose ofexplanation may be changed considerably without-departing from' thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A dehydrator for insertion in a fluid line, comprising a casinghaving spaced inlet and outlet openings and adapted to receive aquantity of a granular dehydrating agent between said openings, aperforated distributing tube which provides a hollow unobstructedpassage throughout its length for the free ow of a fluid and extendsinwardly of said casing from said inlet opening into a position whereitis adapted to be imbedded within said granular dehydrating agent, aporous retention member in said casing ladjacent said outlet opening andspaced from said distributing tube, which retention member packs thedehydrating agent against and about the distributing tube and a springresiliently engaging said retention tube.

2. A dehydrator, comprising an outer casing having -spaced inlet andoutlet openings, and a readily replaceable inner dehydrating agentcasing having an internal distributing conduit extending outwardlytherefrom into axially seplength for the free ilow 'of a uid, adehydrating agent retention member in said casing and spaced from saiddistributing member, and a spring bearing against said outlet head onone end and said retention member on the other end.

4. A dehydrator, comprising a casing having a closed end provided withan inlet opening and an open end provided with a removable outlet head,a readily replaceable inner dehydrating agent carrying casing having aclosed end provided with an inlet `opening and an open end provided witha dehydrating agent retention member, a distributing member in saidinner casing which has a iluid tight but readily separable iitat theinlet opening end of the inner casing with the inlet opening in theouter casing, and a spring bearing on one end against said outlet headand against said retention member on the other end.

5. A dehydrator, comprising an elongated casing having spaced inlet andoutlet openings at its ends, a perforated dispersion tube which exl thetube and is positioned between the material and said outlet opening.

6. A replaceable cartridge of a granular dehydrating agent, forinsertion in the casing of a dehydrator, comprising a tubular shellwhich is provided at one end with a centrally apertured jecting rimwhich is adapted to interilt with a complementary formation on the inletend of the casing of the dehydrator in axially separable relation to thelatter.

7. A replaceable cartridge of a granular dehydrating agent, forinsertion in the casing oi a dehydrator, comprising a tubular shellwhich is provided at one end with a centrally apertured end wall and atthe other end with aporous Aretention member, a perforated dispersiontube secured to the end wall about the aperture and extending asubstantial distance longitudinally oi the shell toward the porousretention member, and a quantity of a granular dehydrating materialpacked within the shell about the dispersion tube and beyond the end ofthe latter up to the retention member, said shell being s o constructedat the location of the aperture in the end wall thereof as to interfltwith a complementary rormation on the inlet end of the casing of thedehydrator in axially separable relation to the latter.

8. A dehydrator for insertion in a iluid line, comprising a cylindricalsheet metal casing provided at one end with a tlxed end wall which iscentrally apertured, a iiltering screen positioned under pressure in theopposite end of the casing, a hollow unobstructed cylindrical tube whichis closed at one end and is perforated throughout its length, said tubebeing arranged longitudinally within the casing with its closed end inproximity to the filtering screen and its open end rigidly secured tothe iixed end wall of the casing about the edge of the aperture in thelatter, whereby to provide a passageway throughout its `length for thefree ilow ot iiuid, and loose granular dehydrating material packedtightly by the pressure on the screen about the tube between the latterand the cylindrical wallot the casing and also between the end o! thetube and the screen.

' GUY'J. HENRY.

